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Cover letters

Draft compelling cover letters which convey your enthusiasm and suitability for the role.

A cover letter is a letter that introduces your application and is typically submitted alongside your CV. An excellent cover letter can make or break an application so do put the effort in and showcase a tailored, well researched and well written letter which demonstrate your interest in the role you are applying for, your motivation for doing the role and working for the employer, and your suitability for the position.

You should submit a cover letter when:

  • It is required for an an application
  • It is optional for an application – going the extra mile will impress employers!
  • You are applying speculatively – this means you are asking employers for an opportunity even though they currently aren’t advertising. A cover letter is essential to provide context as to why you are getting in touch with the employer, and what you are asking them for. Read Prospects and TargetJobs advice on speculative applications

How to format and structure your cover letter

When candidates used to submit their paper applications by post, a covering letter was attached to their CV, but nowadays you are far more likely to upload a cover letter to an online application or attach it to an email. Your cover letter will likely be formatted in a Word document or pasted/typed directly into a text box.

When formatting your cover letter:

  • Stick to one side of A4
  • Use a clear font with a size of no less than 10
  • If you are attaching a document, present your cover letter like a formal business letter (see our tips in our cover letter format template below)
  • Use separate paragraphs to address different points – use our structure below (or something similar) to ensure your cover letter is easy to follow

Watch the below video with our Careers Adviser, Cath, for advice on what to include within your cover letter:

To summarise, we recommend following this structure when drafting your cover letter:

  • Introduction
  • Why you are interested in the role
  • Why you are interested in working for the employer
  • Why you are suitable for the position
  • Conclusion 

Top tips for writing cover letters

Your cover letter should be tailored to the specific role and employer. Even if you are applying speculatively (when there is no role advertised and you are asking the employer if they have any suitable vacancies), your cover letter should be tailored to the employer. Do your research beforehand and understand the role, the organisation, the wider sector and why you are the right fit. Read our advice on commercial awareness for researching employers.

Your cover letter is short and sweet so make sure you use your words effectively by being as specific as you can. Provide specific reasons why you are interested in the role and employer and specific examples of skills and experience that demonstrate your suitability.

Don't make statements without backing these up with evidence. If you say you have a particular skill, make sure you provide an example. For example, if you want to highlight that you have excellent research skills, you could reference how a research project in your course helped you develop these. Similarly, if you make a claim about an employer, highlight the research that has led you to that conclusion. It's a bit like showing the employer your workings - it has far more impact than simply telling them something and expecting them to believe it!

Don't simply regurgitate facts you have found out about the employer when doing your research. A well tailored cover letter should always be personal to you. Why does an employer's work interest you? Why do you feel drawn to their values or workplace culture? Link your research back to you to make the most impact.

Watch our video below to hear advice from employers about the common CV and cover letter mistakes to avoid:

Template and example cover letters

Cover letter template

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Biomedical and Life Sciences

Physical Sciences and Engineering

Further resources

Use the below resources to explore this topic further: